Relief for a Stuffy Nose

Question:

"My 11-month-old has a terrible stuffy nose, but he won't let me near him with the nasal aspirator. How can I help him?"

No matter how hard it is for your son to breathe, sleep, or drink, chances are he'll resist as soon as he sees you coming with the nasal aspirator. If you've got someone around to help, have him or her hold your baby's hands while you put in saline drops (to loosen the mucus) or break out the nasal aspirator. (To use it, depress the bulb, insert the other end in your baby's nose, and then release the bulb. The vacuum created will pull out the goop.)

If you're on your own, you'll need to immobilize your baby: One way to do this is to sit on the floor with your legs in front of you. Lay your baby between your legs with his head resting on your pelvis. Gently place your legs over his arms so his head is between your legs and he can't roll away. Now you have both hands free to suction his nose with the nasal aspirator — talk or sing in an upbeat way to distract him. Your baby will probably scream the entire time, but he'll be breathing easier for hours — and won't remember any of it when he's a teenager.

Not a fan of the forceful approach? The nasal aspirator isn't your only option. You can also try the following to relieve his stuffy nose:

During your son's bath, gently splash some water into his nose to help the mucus drip out on its own.

Keep your baby's room well humidified to loosen the congestion. Sitting with your baby for five or ten minutes in a steamed-up bathroom can help, too.

Hold him upright when he's stuffed up; this position usually helps to clear the nasal passages.

Go outside for some fresh air, which can ease stuffiness.

If you're nursing, try squeezing a few drops of breast milk into his nose to loosen congestion; some experts say that the milk's antimicrobial properties can help.

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